CMS no longer requiring surveyors to be fully vaccinated in order to inspect facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 17, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has rescinded guidance that says surveyors who are not fully vaccinated shouldn’t participate on the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers.
Despite lack of complaints, CMS warns providers not to take resident stimulus checks
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 12, 2020
Nursing home providers that seize stimulus checks from residents could be removed from participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the Trump Administration warned this week.
Nearly 12k nursing homes receiving point-of-care testing in second distribution wave
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 24, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled the names of nursing homes set to receive the COVID-19 point-of-care testing devices in its second wave.
County COVID-19 rates will dictate staff testing frequency, new CMS guidance says
By
Liza Berger
Aug 27, 2020
Routine testing of staff now will be based on the level of COVID-19 activity in the community. That’s according to official new guidance released Wednesday in response to federal regulatory changes disclosed...
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for repeated testing among staff members to stop the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
CMS edicts bring tougher survey conditions to nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 15, 2021
More oversight is coming for nursing home providers after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services directed surveyors to take a more critical look at nurse competency and residents’ quality of care...
PPE, staff shortages unchanged: CMS data show 1 in 5 facilities ‘severely’ affected
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 24, 2020
There were notable clusters of equipment shortfalls in certain states. A quarter of U.S. counties had at least 44% of nursing homes reporting low staffing levels.
BREAKING [updated]: CMS vaccine mandate blocked in 10 states by federal judge
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 29, 2021
The Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers has been at least temporarily halted in 10 states following an order issued by a federal judge Monday afternoon.
CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
By
Danielle Brown
May 26, 2020
Changes under a recent final rule encourage Medicare Advantage plans to increase their telehealth benefits and plan options for beneficiaries in rural areas.
Coronavirus nursing home commission delivers draft of recommendations to CMS
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 27, 2020
A national commission tasked with reviewing nursing homes’ response to the coronavirus crisis has delivered a draft of its recommendations to the federal government.